"Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield."
Psalms 115:11
Psalm 115 is a psalm sung at Passover by the Children of Israel. Spurgeon says that it “bears relationship to their deliverance from Egypt.”1 Those singing this psalm are wanting God who took Israel through the Red Sea, to show His strength again.
“Ye that fear the LORD,”
Speaking first to the nation of Israel, the psalmist encourages all the Children of Israel to trust in Jehovah their God.
“O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield (Psalm 115:9).
And then the psalmist speaks specifically to the “house of Aaron” the priestly line to trust in Jehovah. It is interesting that Aaron’s children are reminded to trust the LORD. After all, they are the ones who lead the worship and sacrifices of the nation.
“O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield (Psalm 115:10).
But then the psalmist includes all the genuine God-lovers who are not of the twelve tribes. All those who respect, and worship Jehovah are “permitted and commanded to confide in Him.”2 It is amazing that centuries before the Messiah came to offer Himself a sacrifice for sin, that the Gentiles are included in His plan of redemption.
“Trust in the LORD:”
There is much more to pleasing the LORD than offering Him our acts of worship. We must trust in Him. He is the almighty omniscient God, the good God, the infinitely good Jehovah. And we have the privilege to put our trust in Him.
“Wherever there is an awful fear of God, there may be a cheerful faith in him: those that reverence his word may rely upon it,”3 (Henry).
Let’s take it a step further, where there is not the reverence for God there will not be true faith in Him. Before faith there must be the knowledge of who He is, then comes our trust in Him.
“He is their help and their shield.”
For those who reverence and trust in Jehovah, He is “their help and their shield.” Not only could Israel trust in Jehovah as her Redeemer and Savior, but He was also her protector, and her defender. As He is for all who trust in Him!
Be faithful as you continue to trust the LORD today!
1. C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Spurgeon, ibid.
3. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, the electronic version in eSword.